Too optimistic?

Over the years, my family and friends have decided that I'm too optimistic.

Yes, I thought that the Cleveland Indians would dominate baseball in 1987. To my credit, Sports Illustrated agreed with my assertion that spring.

Of course, I also thought the Indians would reign supreme over the National Pastime in every season since the Carter Administration. Sports Illustrated and I have generally not concurred on much in those other years.

And the Browns. I'm convinced that the Browns are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. Alright, maybe not this year, but certainly next year.

So this season, am I too optimistic to think that Ohio State will win the Big Ten?

I don't think so and I'm willing to use up some valuable electrons to tell you why.

Let's just assume that the other "contenders" for the Big Ten title are _ichigan, Wiconsin and Penn State. Most people would agree with that assertion. Let's take a look at why those teams will not win the Big Ten.

Penn State: They are starting Anthony Morelli at quarterback. Yes, he has over 2,400 yards in the air last year, but he also carried an 11 touchdown to 8 interception ratio (ugh!) while completing just 54% of his passes (ugh again!). They're leading returning rusher gained just 199 yards last season. And I also heard that Joe Paterno is a Patrick Swayze fan. 'Nuff said.

Wisconsin: They've been lucky over the last couple of years by not playing Ohio State. Last season, they difficulty outscoring opponents inside the Big Ten. They outgained them by over 135 yards per game, but the Badgers only outscored their Big Ten opponents by 18 points in a combined 8 games. This season will be more difficult as they break in a new quarterback. On the plus side, the Johnson Automotive commercials about badgers are great.

_ichigan: Do I seriously have to spell it out? Okay. I will. L-L-L-L-L-O-Y-D and H-E-N-N-E. The next time that quarterback Chad Henne completes a clutch pass will be the first time (alright, his second time. I'll count the pass to Mario Manningham against Penn State to win the game.) And of course, anyone can tell you the same thing about the next time head coach LLLLLoyd Carr smiles. Carr takes what is truly above average and great talent and builds himself some great three loss seasons. Without that HALF of a national championship early in his career, LLLLLoyd is probably gone from Ann Arbor. At this point in time, it's almost better that he won that half that crown; it's kept him around. Henne isn't all bad. I have to admit that he'll own most of the significant quarterback records at a school that has put a lot of signal callers into the NFL. But, he's be the guy that has guided the Wolverines to back-to-back season ending losses for 3 straight years. It says something when you're not beating your arch rival (Ohio State) and not winning against you foes (Texas, Nebraska, USC) in the bowl season.

Does Ohio State have questions? Yes they do. There's not a doubt about that. But I don't think you can call any one team in the Big Ten the overwhelming favorite.

Heath's Bold Prediction: The Ohio State football team wins the Big Ten in 2007.